by Josepha Sherman & Susan Schwartz
“Encountered warbird. Sank same.”
Spock and Saavik have been betrothed and mind-bonded. The Romulan Praetor plans to use the Klingons to spark a dishonorable war with the Federation in order to make money for the Romulan Star Empire and cover himself with glory. Even though Spock betrayed her and almost caused her to be executed years ago, the Romulan Commander Charvanek reaches out to Spock to help her restore honor to her Empire.
Spock must go on an unapproved, covert mission to Romulus to… I don’t know—start reunification and foment unrest, which will lead to the overthrow of the current Romulan government? Seems very U.S.A. of him. Anyway, while he is there and unable to reach Saavik, they enter pon farr. Can he complete his mission and get back to pon farr Saavik before he dies? It is illogical to believe otherwise.
Random Thoughts Written Down as I Read:
Lt. Jean-Luc Picard attends Spock and Saavik’s bonding. Vulcan rites and rituals are just open for everyone to come observe. Like a zoo.
I’m still wondering which Saavik? My vote is Kirstie Alley. Beautiful with a perfect understanding of the role.
On the planet Oriki, in the city of Kikitik, Spock speaks to the diplomat Rakirit. I’m glad Terrans don’t follow similar naming practices. Anyway, it doesn’t matter because we move on and never come back.
Romulus is Best Korea.
It is illogical to worry.
It is illogical to think of Saavik.
It is illogical to be impatient.
Fury is illogical.
Relief is illogical.
It is illogical to flinch.
Guilt is illogical.
It is illogical for Charvanek and Spock to behave as if they are merely old acquaintances.
The need to concentrate is illogical.
Embarrassment is illogical.
Page 64: Comma overload achieved.
Hope is illogical.
It is illogical to complain of being overly successful.
It is illogical to think that Spock was set up. (What does that even mean? How is that illogical? Do you even know what logic is?)
It is illogical to feel triumph.
It is illogical to never think of Romulan soldiers as having families.
Jealousy is illogical.
Blame is illogical.
The odds of being reported are logically low.
It is illogical to have romantic thoughts.
Shouting in rage is illogical.
You know what? Screw it. I’m just gonna tally the use of the word ‘logic’ in all its variations starting on page 124. There are 378 pages in the book. In the remaining 254 pages, I count 139 uses of the word logic, illogic, logical, illogical, logically, illogically, etc. That’s 1.8 uses per page. I may have missed some, as I am not logically minded.
Meanwhile, the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one.
Spock and Saavik are parted and never parted, never and always touching and touched.
Their eyes are flame. Their blood is flame.
Vulcans cannot lie.
Pon farr is an open secret since Spock’s Enterprise pon farr. Seriously, WHO BLABBED?
Pon farr. Pon farr. Pon farr. Ponfarr. Ponfarr. Ponfarrponfarrponfarrrrrr.
We all rush to the Battle of Narendra III.
Say, if combat can ‘cure’ pon farr, why not fight someone if your mate is not available?
We witness the capture and rape of Tasha Yar from Enterprise-C. Eww.
Spock and Saavik are reunited just in time. McCoy visits their destroyed honeymoon suite the next day. Ewww.
Saavik looks radiant. Spock looks weary. Ewwww.
WTF:
“Her execution would be finite. No matter how agonizing, no matter how drawn out and humiliating, it would, at last, be over. She would, one way or another, die free. ”